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Over the past years, health has become a priority, and we have been making lifestyle and health adjustments. While making adjustments, sometimes we forget about other aspects of our health, like oral hygiene. A regular dental checkup is essential to keep our pearly whites sparkling white. If you are concerned about out-of-pocket expenses, a decent dental insurance plan can help you avoid paying thousands of dollars.

The American Dental Association study shows adults without insurance are estimated to pay between $492 and $785 per year for dental care. Still, the expense is an obstacle. This has been visible in recent years: between 2013 and 2016, 15.2 % of the US population needed dental treatment but could not obtain it due to a lack of coverage for their procedures and other financial barriers.

Key takeaways:

Dental plans usually follow a 100-80-50 pricing, with 100% coverage for preventative and diagnostic treatments, 80% coverage for essential dental services like fillings, and 50% coverage for significant operations and surgeries.

In the United States, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Delta Dental, Humana, and Renaissance are the best five dental insurance providers.

Procedure of dental insurance

Dental policies have imposed a limit on the coverage you receive for the year. It usually ranges to $1500. Other more aesthetic services, including teeth whitening or orthodontic care, are often not covered, leaving patients with an out-of-pocket payment.

Types of Dental Insurance

Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO):

This sort of insurance works with dentists who have agreed to provide services for the insurance company at a set price. When contracted dentists are used, these discounts are beneficial.

Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO):

A monthly fee is paid to a network of dentists for the patient’s care each month. They provide services at a discounted cost to the patient in exchange.

Dental Point of Service (DPOS):

Patients keeping within the insurer’s network saves money.

5 Best Dental Insurance Providers

UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is one of the top three insurance companies in the United States. Its provider network connects patients with dentists around the country. Preventive care is commonly covered by UnitedHealthcare dental insurance with no deductibles or waiting periods. The dental plans offered by the company have no upper age limit.

Pros:

UnitedHealthcare has an extensive provider network.
Preventative care is frequently provided without a deductible or a time limit.
Consumer Affairs gave it 4/5 stars based on 373 ratings filed in the previous year.
(A) rating has been given by AM Best.

Cons:

On plans with cheap monthly rates, there is no coverage for primary services.
Limited coverage choice for orthodontic services.
Some plans only begin to cover primary services after purchasing a plan for the first year.
Annual maximums are low.

Cigna Dental

Cigna is one of the nation’s largest medical insurance companies. Its plans start at $19 per month on average. Standard waiting periods for essential services are six months, and advanced and orthodontic services are 12 months. Cigna’s most comprehensive plan, Cigna Dental 1500, is the only one that covers braces and other orthodontia (though a 12-month waiting period applies).

Pros:

No need to see the main dentist.
For specialist visits, no referrals are required.
ConsumersAdvocate.org has rated this product 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 52 user reviews.
AM Best has given an A financial strength rating.

Cons:

Restorative and orthodontic services have 12-month waiting periods.
a limited number of plan options.

Delta Dental

Delta Dental provide complete dental coverage in all 50 states and other US territories. Delta Dental offers controlled fee-for-service and discount plans, as well as HMO and PPO plans.

Pros:

More than 150,000 providers are part of the extensive network.
Customers can select from a list of participating dentists who provide reduced offers.
Consumer Affairs has given this product 4/5 stars based on 495 reviews in the last year.
(A) the rating has been given by AM Best.

Cons:

Benefit caps are low.
Orthodontic care has limited coverage and cost-sharing.

Humana Dental

With over 20 million members and a market share of around 8%, it offers a wide selection of dental coverage. For any budget, Humana offers PPO, DHMO and value plans.

Pros:

Two hundred sixty thousand dentists are part of an extensive network.
Offers a variety of choices, including veteran-specific plans.
Some plans provide a yearly budget for teeth whitening.
(A) the rating has been given by AM Best to Humana’s dentistry.

Cons:

Benefits are limited.
Significant services have limited coverage.
In some states, not all plans and services are offered.

Renaissance Dental

Renaissance Life & Health Insurance has a good number of plans to choose from, as well as a Healthy Savings Card that is accepted at over 175,000 locations.

Pros: